Cultivator



June 12, 1928.

F. RATCLIFF CULTI VATOR Filed June 15. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 6120141 av a June 12, 1928. I 1,673,202

F. RATCLIFF CULTIVATOR Filed June 15, 1926 2 s eets-Sheei 2 Patented June 12, 1928.

UNITED STATES FLOYD RATCLIFF, OF GOODLAND, KANSAS.

I CULTIVA'IOB.

Application filed June 15, 1926. Serial No. 116,200.

' This invention aims to provide I novel means whereby the soil-engaging elements of a weeder or other cultivator, may be held at adjusted angles, depending upon irregu larities in the surface of the soil, it being pos sible to adjust the gangs separately, for engagement with the soil at different angles.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the invention appertains.

WVith the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combina- 1 tion and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 shows in rear elevation, adevice constructed in accordance with the invention, looking from the rear towards the front;

Figure 2 is a detail enlarged from Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the lever mechanism shown in Figure 2, parts remaining in elevation;

Figure 4 is a front elevation wherein the trucks are shown level; and

Figure 5 is a front elevation wherein the trucks have been tilted to an adjusted position, remote parts being omitted in Figures 4 and 5.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a connection 1 made up of a member 3 and a member 2 telescoped into the member 3, as at 4,so that the length of the connection 1 may be adjusted automatically to correspond with the distance between the rows, especially if the rows are crooked. The telescoped ends of the members 2 and 3 are lubricated by any suitable means, such. as a grease cup 5 carried by the member 3. The members 2 and 3 are long enough so thatthey may have plenty of telescoping lap, even though the distance between the rows is considerable.

The end portions of the transverse connection 1 are received in concaved seats 6 formed in brackets 7 having segments 8 supplied with hearing spindles 9. The seats 6 are of the hut in order to make the mem ber '2 fit properly in a seat which is shaped to receive the member 3, the, member 2 carries a sleeve 50 of the same size as the member 3. LeverslO aremounted to swing on the bearing spindles 9 and carry latch mechanisms'l'ladapted to cooperate with the segments 8, to hold the'said levers in any positions which they may have been swung. Se-

curing elements 11, such as bolts, pass through the ends of the connection 1, through the brackets 7 and through. the

bearing spindles 9, the securing elements 11-v exercising a double function, in that they hold the ends of the connection 1 in the seats 6, and also retain the levers 10 for swinging movement on the bearing spindles 9, it being observed that one of the securing elements 11 retains the sleeve 50.

The levers 10 aresupplied with forks 12 which span the lister poles or frame mem-- bers 14 of the cultivator, the numeral15 designating the cross bar, and the trucks being shown at 18, the soil-engaging members being designated by the numeral 16. Upper and lower wear plates 19 and 20 respectively, are mounted on the lister poles 14. The top of the fork 12 rests on the upper wear plate 19, and the lower wear plate 20 is in engagement with the yoke bar 21 which is adjustably connected at 22 with the arms of the fork 12. A securing member 23, such as a bolt, passes through the wear plates 19 and 20, through the lister poles or frame members 14, through the yoke bar 21, and through a flange 51 which projects sidewise from the crown of the fork 12. The prongs of the fork 12 are far enough apart to give clearance for the lister pole 14 should one team get ahead of the other.

The construction is such, obviously, that the frame members 14 are connected to the lower ends of the levers 10. Each lever may be swung independently of the other on the bearing spindle 9, thereby to vary the position of the trucks 18 and the members 16 with respect to the soil, so that they will cooperate with the soil, regardless of irregularities of inclination in the soil. The levers 10 may, of course, be held in adjusted posi tions by engaging the latch mechanisms 17, with the segments 8.

Although a particular kind of cultivator or weeder has been shown in the drawings, it will be understood that the device formlit] ing the subject matter of this application" agricultural implement of the. class described, for which it is adapted;

What is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, a

o transverse connection, levers and means for mounting the levers for swlnglng movement ets against'which said members abut, seg; o

- ments carried by the brackets, levers mounted to swing on the brackets, latch mechanisms'on the levers and cooperating with the segments, securing elements passing through the brackets and engaging the respective members of the connection to hold the brackets thereon, the securing elements engaging the levers to retain them .on the brackets for swinging movement, and means on the levers whereby they may be secured directly to the lister poles of a cultivator. In testimony that I'claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

FLOYD RATo IFF; 

